Film guide for stripfilm projectors



Dec. 19, 1950 F. J. PERILLO FILM cum: FOR STRIPFILM PROJECTORS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filnd April 26 1949 INVENTOR QAQML ATTORNEYS F. J. PERILLO I FILM GUIDE FOR STRIPFILM PROJECTORS Dec. 19, 1950 3 Shleets-Sheet 2 Filed April 26, 1949 f M g 2221221 G zwhm ATTORNEYS Dec. 19, 1950 F. J. PERILLO FILM cums FOR STRIPFILM PROJECTORS 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April. 26, 1949 I IN N TOR. Biz W114 My ATTORNEYS Patented Dec. 19, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FILM GUIDE FOR STRIP-FILM PROJECTORS Florindo J. Perillo, Jackson Heights, N. 31., as-

signor to Viewlex, 1110., Queens County, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application April 26, 1949, Serial No. 89,630

- Claims- (CI. 8828) This invention relates to apparatus for projecting transparencies on a screen in enlarged form and more particularly to apparatus for :positioning and transporting strips of film bearing said transparencies, herein called filmstrips, with relation to the illuminating and lens systems of a projector :or the like. The projector is for still pictures, as distinguished from motion pictures.

The filmstrip mechanism of the invention is described herein as applied to a projector of the general type described in any copending application Ser. No. 682.633, filed July 10, 1946, now

Patent No. 2,506,168, and may be combined with the slide positioning structure therein described so as to provide a projector adaptable for :use with either slides or filmstrips. Reference is made to the aforesaid application for the details of construction of one form of complete projector with which the present invention may be used. r

This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending application Ser. No. 783,525, filed November 1, 1947, and allowedJuneZQ, 1950.

Theobjects of the invention are:

(a) To provide improved transparent guiding and positioning members for holding the film in a plane during projection; I

(b) To provide a projector with filmstri-p mechanism which is "independent-of the slide positioning mechanism, the filmstrip guides being easily removed, for use of the projector with slides or for cleaning;

(c) To provide a double-plate 'film guide having two identical parts for ease of assembly and to simplify replacement;

(d) To provide improved means for applying .pressure to the film guide .plates and for locking the plates in position, release :of the lockin means acting to remove .the pressure -.on the plates to facilitate their removal; and

(e) To provide such apparatus which is of simple, rugged construction capable of. being .economically manufactured.

The invention is exemplified by the present-pre- ,ferred embodiment thereof as hereinafter described in conjunction with the drawings in which:

Fig. 1. is a perspective view of the frontend of a projector, with lens removed, showing the film.- strip mechanism; v

.Fig. 2 is a central vertical section through the same showing a filmstrip in position;

Fig. 3 is an exploded viewxof the parts making up the framing assembly;

7 Fig. 4 is an explodedview of the sprocketshaft, turning knob, detents and springs;

Fig. 5 shows the drive sprocket;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing the film holder guide frame and film guide shoe attached to the lens mount base, the lens mount being cut off in the plane indicated by the line 6-5 in Fig. 9, the sprocket being shown in position;

Figs. '7 and 8 are perspective views of the trans parent film guides and their holders as seen from opposite sides;

Fig. 9 is a side elevation of the lens mount and filmstrip mechanism;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged horizontal section, not to scale, through a pair of transparent film guides having scratch-preventing film engaging edge strips, a film being shown in position between them.

Fig. 11 is a side elevation showing a modified form of film guide locking device which also actuates a film guide pressure member;

Fig. 12 is a section taken on the line Fig. 11 with the film guides removed;

Fig. 13 is a sectional detail taken on the line Iii-13 of Fig. 12 showing one of theg film guide pressure fork springs; and

Fig. 14 is a sectional elevation taken on the line l4i4 of Fig. 11.

Referring to Fig. 1, which shows the front end .of the lamp housing It] of a projector, there is attached to this housing a lens mount H having a base 2. The front of the housing It has an aperture M (Fig. 2) through which the light is projected and in front of this aperture is a space 15 into which slides may be inserted. These slides are held flat against the front face of housing If] by means of pressure bars it which are actuated by springs 18, as more particularly described in application 'Ser. No. 682,633.

The lens mount II is attached to its base 12 along one side only, this side being shown in section in Fig. 6 at I9. A space or film channel is thus provided between the front surface of the base I2 and the back surface of the lens mount 1 I. In this space is a film guide plate holder and guide member consisting of a fiat attaching plate 20 .and a channel member 2| which is attached to the plate 28, for example, by spotwelding. Both the plate 20 and the member 2| are provided with apertures corresponding in area to the opening M in housing It to permit the passage of light.

Channel member 2| is provided with side flanges 2.2 which extend at right angles to the plate 20. The depth of the flanges corresponds to the space between the lens mount H and its base l2. At the upper end of each flange 22 is an upwardly extending tongue 24, narrower than the flange, for a purpose to be described later. This assembly is secured to base l2 in any suitable manner as, for example, by means of screws 25.

Referring to Figs. '7 and 8, they show the pair of transparent plates, for example of glass or other suitable rigid transparent material, between which the film strip passes, and the sheet metal holders in which the plates are mounted. These two units are identical and the drawings show them in the face to face relation in which they are used. Each consists of a glass plate 25' bevelled at top and bottom as shown at 28 and 29. These plates are mounted in holders 39 which have side flanges 3i and bottom flanges 32. The top of each holder 38 is provided on either side with ears 3% the tops of which are bent over at 35 so that the holder may be easily gripped. In the side of each ear is a notch 35. The holders 3% are made of relatively stiff sheet metal and to secure the glass plates 26 therein each holder has fastened to it, parallel to its top edge, a retaining strip 38 of thinner, softer metal having bendable ears 39. The strips and holders may be joined by spotwelding as indicated at ii Each holder 35 is provided with a rectangular aperture 4'I which, in the embodiment shown, corresponds in size to a single frame picture, that is to say about 18 mm. by 24 mm. The glass plates are assembled in their holders by positioning them between the flanges 39 and SI and thereafter bending the ears 39 down so that they overlap the upper bevels 28.

The holders just described are positioned during use between the flanges 22 of channel member 2!, as may be seen in Figs. 1, 2 and 9. They are dimensioned relative to the space between lens mount H and the intermediate portion of member 2! so that there is just sufiicient room between the plates 26 to receive a film. strip without binding, thus assuring the flatness of the film during projection. The holders hang between flanges 22 and are supported on the upper edges thereof by the ears 34. The ears of the two holders are positioned on opposite sides of the tongues it which may, if desired, be of such dimension as to slightly separate the glass plates 26 at their upper edges. In any case, the tongues 25. serve to maintain a single holder in its proper place if the other holder is removed and to prevent a holder being inserted backward.

Referring to Fig. l, a detent in the form of spring arm 42, which is fastened to lens mount I I, has a tongue 43 which engages the notches 36 of one pair of ears 34. The bottom edges of these ears are rounded so as to snap over the tongue 43 when the holders 38 are inserted and when it is desired to remove the holders, spring #12 may be flexed by pressure on the knob M attached to the side of the spring arm.

Attached to the underside of lens mount l by means of screws 5!) (Fig. 2) is a sprocket mounting bracket 5| which has depending legs 52 and 54, the latter being provided with a hole 55 (Fig. 9). The front part of bracket 5| is bent downwardly at 56 so as to form a guard over the sprocket 58. Optionally, the bracket 51 may be provided with a rear extension 59 which is bent downwardly and forwardly around the hub 69 of sprocket 58, and serving to direct film issuing below the sprocket so as to prevent its following 7 around the sprocket under the portion 55 of bracket 5!, as may otherwise happen in the case of film which has been tightly curled.

Referring to Figs. 4 and 5, sprocket 58 is supported on a shaft 6| which passes through the hub 69 of the sprocket. The sprocket is fixed on the shaft by means of a set screw 62.

Extending downwardly and forwardly behind sprocket 58 is a film guiding shoe 54 provided with short longitudinal slots 65 through which the teeth of the sprocket project. The sprocket is so mounted relative to the shoe 64 that film passing over the surface of the shoe, as shown in Fig. 2, will have its sprocket holes engaged by the teeth of sprocket 58. Preferably, the central portion of shoe 64 is depressed, as shown at 68 (Fig. 6), so that frictional engagement between the shoe and the film is limited to the portions of the film adjacent the sprocket holes, thus preventing scratching of the film in its picture area. Shoe 64 is supported on the bottom portion of base 12, preferably by two of the screws 25 which are used to secure the plate 26.

Means for securing a coil of film are provided on the upper part of the lens mount l l, as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 9, consisting of a film cradle 68 upwardly curved at its outer end and having a surface contour similar to shoe 64 and a film spool 69 supported above the cradle on a pivoted arm Ill which is pressed downwardly by a spring H. In use, a coil of film, shown at 12, is slipped under the spool 69 which holds it against the cradle 68 with just enough pressure to prevent the coil from unwinding. Spool 69 may be either rotatably or fixedly mounted with reference to arm 10 since the film is not attached to the spool. In Fig. 2 spool 69 is shown slightly raised but when released it will press down against cradle 68 as shown in Figs. 1 and 9.

Referring to Figs. 3 and 4, the mechanism for feeding the film through the projector step-bystep and for initially framing the pictures on the film with reference to the apertures 4| in the holders 30 is constructed as follows: Shaft BI is provided at one end with a knob 14 in which are drilled a pair of diametrically opposite holes 15. Each hole receives a spring 16 and a ball 18. Inserted through a clearance aperture in the leg 52 of bracket 5|, in alinement with the hole 55 in leg 54, is a threaded sleeve having a head 8| provided with crossed notches 82 disposed at right angles to each other. Mounted in head 8| is a lever 84. When sleeve 80 is assembled in leg 52, a friction washer 85, of fiber or the like, is inserted between the head BI and the leg 52. On the other side of leg 52, on the sleeve 89, is a spring lock washer 86, another friction washer 88 and a nut 89 provided with a set screw 90. Nut 89 is tightened on sleeve 80 sufiiciently to hold the sleeve stationary during rotation of shaft 6| but with sufficient looseness so that sleeve 80 can be rotated by lever 84. After the assembly shown in Fig. 3 is attached to the bracket 5|, the sprocket 58 is inserted between the legs of the bracket and shaft 6| is inserted through sleeve 80, sprocket 5B and hole 55. The sprocket is fastened on the shaft so that one end bears against the face of nut 89 and holds knob 14 inwardly against the head 8 I. As the knob is rotated the balls 18, under the influence of the springs 16. drop into the notches 82. Thus at each quarter turn of the knob the balls drop into the notches giving the sprocket four positive stopping positions during eachrevolution. The sprocket is of such size that each quarter turn advances the film one frame. It will be appreciated that the springs and balls could be carried in head'8l and the cooperating notches placed in knob 14, if desired, or that a single spring and ball may be used.

From the foregoing description the operation of the device should beiapparent. Film is placed on the upper cradle 68 under the spool .69 and the free outer end is introduced between the to}: edges .28 of the :glass plates :26 :and pushed downwardly into engagement with the sprocket. Upon counterclockwise rotation of the latter, as viewed from the knob end, the teeth of the sprocket engage the sprocket ;holes in the film and draw it downwardly. The threading of the film onto the sprocket is automatic. When the first picture .or .a part thereof appears before the apertures II and the balls' 18 are in engagement with one pairrof notches 82, if the picture is :not properly framed it may be brought into .alinement with theapertures by movement of the lever .84, which rotates sleeve carrying with it the knob 74. It will be evident that movement of the lever 81 through an arc of 90 degrees produces the same result as a quarter revolution of the knob and that the maximum movement of the lever required to frame a picture will never be more than 45 degrees.-

It will be noted that the upper edges 28 ofthe glass plates 25 are unobstructed and almost completely exposed to view from above so that when the projector light is turned on the light diffused through theglass plates renders the top edges thereof luminous, making it very easy in a darkened room to see where the film should be inserted. The bevelled top edges 28 form a V 'into which the film end is introduced.

The snap action and positive stopping, produced by the coaction of the spring pressed balls 18 and'the notched head 8|, make possible very rapid and accurate transport of the film, it being quite possible to move from one picture to the next faster than the eye can follow without any overrunning of the picture relative to .the aperture. The apparatus works equally well in either direction and the balls I8 reduce friction to a minimum.

It should also be noted that the film strip mechanism, which is adapted for use with pictures of a single frame size, is illustrated as incorporated in a projector adapted for use with slides having a double frame size in such a manner that the apparatus is iquickly converted for use with slides merely by removing the two film positioning elements shown in Figs. 7 and 8. It will also be noted that these elements are positioned in a plane which is farther from lamp housing I0 than is the slide space I5. This is done for the reason that the converging cone of light issuing from the condenser system in the housing I0 is more concentrated as it approaches the lens and since the film strip carries smaller pictures than the slides, these pictures will be more brilliantly illuminated by being positioned farther from the light source.

Referring to Figs. 7 and 10, the transparent plates 26 may, in their simplest form, have plane surfaces but, as shown, these surfaces are preferably modified so as to provide raised portions along thev outer opposed edges of the plates. These raised portions are shown as the strips 95 which are applied along the outer portions of one surface of each plate. These strips may be about of an inch wide and from .002 to .005 of an inch thick, preferably between .002 and .003 of an inch. They contact the film outside of its picture area and serve to space the picture-carrying portion of the film slightly from the surfaces of the plates so as to prevent scratching 6 'due to hard :dust particles which may get .be* tween :the .film and the plates.

Strips are preferably of ceramic material which is applied to the desired areas of :the plates 26 and thereafter fused or :fired into the glass. The strips may be .formed in various ways including painting, printing, plating, cementing and the decalcomania process. The strips may be :molded in the glass or other transparent material. Considerable latitude in the thickness of the strips is permissible without giving the film such freedom of movement that .it may "buckle and throw the projected picture out .of focus. However, it has been found :to be preferable :to :limit the thickness to about .006 inch. The strips should :be hardand smooth to provide good bearing surfaces for the film.

Referring to Figs. 11 through 14, a modification is shown in which theabove described springarm 42 is replaced by another means for securing the film guides in place, and in which there is, additionally, mechanism for applying light spring pressure to the film guides, this pressure being released automatically when the film guides are unlocked.

Referring to Fig. 11, there is secured to the side .of lens .mount II an arm I00, pivoted on a shouldered screw I0 I. The upper'end of this arm is oifset rearwardly at the top as shown at 102 and has at'its lower :end a tongue H14 which extends through an opening I05 in the lens mount. Arm :00 is actuated by a knob I06. As shown in Figs. 12 and 14, the upper end of arm I00 is bent over to form a lip I01 adapted to enter the notches 36 in the ears 34 of the film guide holders. A light wire spring I08, coiled around screw JOI .and'engaging opening I05 and the side of arm 1:00,.moves the :arm into locking position.

Inside of lens mount II a pressure fork III] is pivotally mounted by means of screws, III. The ends of the fork are bent outwardly to provide ears I I2 which are preferably provided with rounded bearing surfaces, these ears being received-when retracted, in recesses .I I4 cut into the rear face of lens mount I I.

Referring to Fig. 13, the lens mount II is provided, behind the ears I12, with bores I15 in which are positioned light coil springs I 16 which press the ears .I I2 rearwardly against the forward film guide holder, the ears engaging the holder above and below the aperture 41 therein. As shown the pressure fork is in retracted position.

The tongue :IM at the bottom end of arm I00 engages the forward edge of fork I It! so that when arm I00 is moved out of engagement with notches 36 it swings the ears I I2 away from the film guide holder against the pressure of springs H6, thus permitting the film guides and their holders to be easily lifted out.

With the structure just described, in which the film guide plates are held against each other by spring pressure, there may be greater clearance between channel member 2| and the rear end of lens mount I I than there is in the structure shown in Figs. 1 through 10 where no spring pressure is employed. It will be noted that it is impossible to remove the film guides without first relieving the pressure on them because of the fact that the fork I I0 is automatically retracted when the lip I01 of arm I00 is disengaged from the notches 36 in the film guide holders. Arm I00 will, of course, be held in disengaged position until complete removal of the film guides.

While the invention has been described by reference to a particular embodiment thereof, it is not to be construed as limited thereto since many changes in detail may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A filmstrip projector comprising a vertically disposed film channel, members extending across the top of said channel from front to back at either side thereof, a pair of transparent film guides, holders for said guides having a pair of laterally extending ears at their tops adapted to rest on said members to suspend the guides in said channel, said ears being provided with notches in their outer edges, and a retractable detent carried by said projector adjacent said film channel and adapted to engage said notches to retain said holders in place.

2. In a filmstrip projector, a channel member having side flanges, a pair of transparent filmguiding plates, holders for said plates having at their top ends pairs of laterally extending ears adapted to rest on the ends of said flanges to removably suspend said plates vertically therebetween, the ends of said flanges having upwardly projecting centrally located tongues adapted to extend between the ears of the holders, whereby shifting of a holder from one side of said member to the other is prevented.

3. In a filmstrip projector having a housing in which is a film guide channel, film guiding means comprising, in combination, a pair of film guides positioned in said channel between which the film passes, a pressure member pivotally carried by said housing adjacent said channel, spring means normally urging said member against one of said guides, an arm pivotally supported on said housing having a portion adapted to engage said film guides to secure them in said channel and another portion adapted to move said pressure member away from said guides when said arm is moved out of securing engagement therewith.

4. In a filmstrip projector, in combination, a housing having a film guide channel, a pair of film guides adapted to be positioned in said channel to receive the film between them, said guides having transparent areas for the passage of light, a U-shaped pressure member pivotally supported in said housing with its legs extending on either side of said areas, the axis of rotation intersecting the said legs, spring means adapted to urge said legs toward said film guides, and an arm pivotally mounted externally of said housing and having an end extending through an opening therein and operatively connected with said pressure member whereby the latter can be swung away from said film guides to release the pressure thereon.

5. In a filmstrip projector having a film guide channel and a hollow lens mount adjacent thereto, film guiding means comprising, in combination, a pair of transparent film guides, holders for said guides having notches, said guides and holders being adapted for positioning in said channel with said notches in alinement, a pressure member pivotally carried inside of said mount and having ears adapted to press against one of said holders and overlying opposite edges of said mount, said mount having recesses underlying said ears, springs in said recesses pressing against said ears, an arm pivotally supported on the outside of said mount having a portion adapted to enter the notches in said holders to secure them against removal and another portion extending inside of said mount and into engagement with said pressure member at a point such that movement of the arm out of engagement with said notches swings said pressure member on its pivots to move said ears away from the holder against which they are pressed by said springs.

FLORINDO- J. PERILLO.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,059,067 Porter Apr. 15, 1913 1,154,819 White Sept. 28, 1915 1,174,208 Walsh Mar. 7, 1916 1,305,405 Peterson June 3, 1919 1,377,727 Power May 10, 1921 1,939,561 Martin Dec. 12, 1933 2,054,586 Mayer Sept. 15, 1936 2,172,256 Nagel Sept. 5, 1939 2,231,743 Young et al Feb. 11, 1941 2,256,899 Greenwood Sept. 23, 1941 2,330,709 Harper et a1 Sept. 28, 1943 2,358,692 De Vry Sept. 19, 1944 2,438,710 Larson Mar. 30, 1948 2,457,913 Nemeth Jan. 4, 1949 2,457,914 Nemeth Jan. 4, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 687,304 Germany Jan. 26, 1940 

